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Credential Program Admissions

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Start your application at Cal State Apply.

Apply for the fall cohort (semester begins late August)

  • Application Available: October 1
  • Priority deadlines: Feburary 15 & March 15

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. You may submit an application after the final priority deadline, however, admission decisions will be prioritized for those who submit an application by the stated priority deadlines.

Want to learn more about our program and admission requirements?

Attend an Overview (Required for All Applicants):

During the overview, we review the three credential programs and provide detailed information on the prerequisites and application process. This session will give you everything you need to decide on moving forward and offer a chance to ask any questions you may have about the application process or the program itself. Please see the calendar for the upcoming sessions and details. Each overview is through zoom and lasts approximately 1 hour.

Questions? Contact Admission and Academic Advisor, Sabrina Holguin [email protected]

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Mild to Moderate Support Needs

Online credential courses with an in-person clinical practice experience prepares educators to support students with a range of academic and behavioral  support needs, including students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and more in grades TK–12. Educators in this area collaborate with general education teachers and provide services in inclusive classrooms, resource specialist programs, or special day classes to provide tailored instruction. Choose MMSN if you’re passionate about fostering academic growth and independence in students through targeted interventions.

Review the MMSN & ESN Preliminary Credential Application Checklist.

Extensive Support Needs

Online credential courses with an in-person clinical practice experience equips teachers to work with students from TK to age 22 who have more significant disabilities and require intensive support across academic, functional, and communication areas. These educators often work in specialized programs or inclusive settings with additional support. Choose ESN if you're driven to make a profound impact in the lives of students with complex needs, helping them build essential life and learning skills.

Review the MMSN & ESN Preliminary Credential Application Checklist.

Early Childhood Special Education

ECSE teachers provide early intervention for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities from birth through kindergarten, supporting development in areas such as communication, social-emotional growth, and early academics. They often work in homes, preschools, and inclusive early learning environments. Choose hybrid ECSE if you're excited about working with young children and families during the critical early years of development, when early support can create lasting change.

Review the ECSE Preliminary Credential Application Checklist.

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Prerequisites

Prerequisites may be in progress when you submit an application. Must be completed with a C- or higher before starting the Education Specialist Credential Programs.

A equivalent course to SPED 371 may be offered at a community college.

Petition for Approved Course Alternative

If you feel that you have taken a prerequisite course at another college or institution that is equivalent to one of our courses, please complete this petition. Only complete petition packets will be reviewed for approval. Please note: A submitted petition is not a guarantee for course equivalency approval.  Please allow for 8-10 business days for review by the department.

Registering for Prerequisite Courses

You may take these courses as a CSUF Undergraduate OR by registering through CSUF Open University.

Apply

Applicants must submit admission items according to the program application checklist below:

Additional Admissions documents:

The application review process allows us to consider experiences, attributes and other academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning and teaching. The candidate shall have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all baccalaureate and postbaccalaureate coursework or in the last 60 semester units attempted.

Application Priority Deadlines: February 15th & March 15th

You may submit an application after the final priority deadline, however, admission decisions will be prioritized for those who submit an application by the stated priority deadlines. If you submit an application after the last priority deadline, you will be placed on a waitlist and your application will be processed if a space becomes available.

All file items must be completed and submitted by the deadline in order to be considered for the program. The only requirements that can be in progress when you apply are the pre-requisite courses, the subject matter requirement and the basic skill requirement.

Once credential applicants have uploaded all admission items to Cal State Apply, submitted the Cal State Apply application, and have successfully completed or have evidence of being enrolled in all prerequisite courses, they will be interviewed.  If these applicants successfully pass the interview, they will be admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program.

Please refer to tuition for further fees.

Prepared outside of California? Refer to CSUF Induction Candidates.

International students: please be sure to contact International Student Services for advisement related to immigration status, personal, social, and cultural matters.

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